Andre McClain knows how to get a crowd’s attention. In fact, it’s his job. As the 38th ringmaster for Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey, he must be commanding in everything he does, including the way he dresses, talks and moves.

“I put all my personality and everything into the show,” he said. “You have 10, 12, 13,000 people in the audience. You have to be able to step out in the middle of the ring and catch the attention of every single person.”

He and the circus troupe will bring their “Built to Amaze!” show to Charlotte on Jan. 29-Feb. 2.

Lifelong entertainer: McClain has been ringmaster for two years, but he’s worked with animals practically all of his life. He was raised on a farm in Kansas City, Mo., riding horses, sheep and steers. His father, Lu, formed America’s first all-black touring rodeo called the Bill Picket Rodeo, which McClain began competing in when he was 7 years old. After college, he competed with the International Professional Rodeo Association and then taught himself the skills to craft a one-man cowboy show that toured with the Bill Picket Rodeo.

“Rodeo was in my blood. It’s always been in my life,” he said.

In 2002, he stopped by Ringling to research stilt-walking, which he hoped to add to his one-man show. After seeing his very first circus, he knew he wanted to be a part of it. He auditioned for the producers and joined the “Greatest Show on Earth.”

McClain said he started out with just his trick horse and moved on to training camels, zebras and other animals. He was the head of the circus “All Access Pre-show” for 10 years, and two years ago, he took the reins as the first equestrian ringmaster in more than a century.

Circus acts: McClain said it’s his job to keep the show going and ensure the audience enjoys it. He sings in the show and rides his horse, Comanche. Before each performance, he prepares by jogging for 30 minutes, jumping rope and vocalizing for 30 minutes.

“I am basically a glorified fan of the circus,” he said. “I have the privilege and honor of introducing each and every one of these [amazing] acts every day.”

“Built to Amaze” is comprised of 120 performers from 17 countries, 180 staff and crew members, and 95 domestic and exotic animals, such as ferrets, dogs, rabbis, snakes, horses, tigers and elephants.

“We have directors, talent scouts that travel all over the world to try to find the best of the best talent,” he said.

McClain said “Built to Amaze!” is like a battle of the sexes, and audiences will see the male and female performers go head to head.

“I must say, every part of the show is [my favorite]. Every part of the show is really amazing,” he said. “The circus is like magic.”

Traveling life: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents more than 450 shows each year, and each tour is two years long, McClain said. Employees get a four-week vacation between tours in December, but they spend the rest of the time on the road, stopping at different cities for one or two weeks at a time.

The 300 employees and all of the animals are transported in a train that’s a mile and half long, McClain said. The train includes a “pie car” serving all manor of food that is open 24-hours a day and always ready to feed the entire staff. Since there are many circus families, Ringing has a traveling school and nursery as well.

McClain travels with his 14-year-old daughter and his wife, Daniele, one of the show’s dancers. The couple met five years ago when Daniele came over from Brazil to join the production, and they married a year ago in “a surprise circus wedding,” McClain said.

“It’s amazing. I have the chance to watch her every show,” he said. McClain added that while he’s the boss of the circus, Daniele is the boss at home.